"But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, 

because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him." Acts 2:24

Wahoo!! Doesn’t this verse just fire you up?! 

Celebrating the reality of our Risen Lord, THE Christ, is truly the pinnacle of our faith as Believers.

While that is the focus of Easter Sunday, for our family, it is our fervent prayer that we would

ever so humbly and gratefully celebrate this with every breath of every day!

Believing God’s promise that the SAME power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in

those who believe (Eph 1:19) is mind-blowing, and certainly something that we should never get over or stop celebrating!

In the days leading up to Resurrection Sunday, the Passion Week,

 there are several efforts we make that powerfully call our hearts to an even more focused reflection and worship 

on the sacrificial death, burial, and Resurrection of Jesus.

Both my husband and I were born and raised in the South,

so sporting new matching Easter dresses for the girls, 

sear-sucker and bow-ties for the men, and sharing in a big family dinner are very real parts of our Easter celebratory traditions.  

As the Lord continues to grow us as individuals and as parents,  

we've also seen a shift away from overly emphasizing the Easter Bunny, Easter Egg Hunts, traditional Easter baskets, or candy galore. 

We certainly don't demonize any of these things, but as the Spirit leads us, 

we are intentionally trying to focus on the true meaning of Easter--

for our own hearts, but especially for the shepherding and informing of the mold-able hearts of our children.  

Let's be honest, this can be a bit of a challenge in our world today. 

After seeking the Lord repeatedly on what this should like for our family, year after year,

 here are a few examples of how we celebrate Easter in the Lyon household:  

Together with our girls, we read over various Scriptures related to the 

Resurrection around the dinner table each night; 

we make play-doh replicas of the tomb, filled and sealed at first, then EMPTY on Easter morning;

we make "Resurrection Rolls" to demonstrate the empty tomb; 

we set a celebratory Easter table to awaken to on Easter morning; 

 we even have fun "Spring Baskets" on the first day of Spring, 

in lieu "Easter Baskets" on Easter morning.   

We also cherish the annual Maundy Thursday service at our church,

which is a somber, deeply moving time of reflection, preparation, and worship 

centered around The Table, the Lord's Last Supper.

Now, it’s important that we recognize our love of Starburst Jellybeans and Cadburry Eggs,

 and that occasionally, we participate in an Egg Hunt, or dye Easter Eggs.

 However, we try and differentiate between these Societal Easter associations

and what the Christian’s true hope is in Easter, the glorious resounding from Matthew 28:6:

"He is not here, for He has RISEN, just as He said...!”

  Stephanie Lyon is the wife of Larry Lyon, the Director of Admissions here at SEBTS and a Pastor at Oaks Church Raleigh, and the adoring mom to Anna Kate (9), Abigail (6), and Maggie Ruth (due in less than 3 weeks!). Stephanie loves taking pictures, blogging, cooking, gardening, hot baths, warm drinks, The Georgia Bulldogs, and spending time with her family and friends.

10 Ways to be a Missional Momma

If we call ourselves Christians, we are supposed to always be on “mission” right?  We have news that is just too good to share.  We are called to “go and make disciples.”  We are called to love one another.  

But that’s not all pretty diamond cross necklaces, is it?  Being missional is hard work.  It’s an everyday decision that we must make.  I have really learned this over the past year or two, but since actually moving overseas it has hit me extremely hard.  How do I do all that I need to do for the day….wash dishes, clean the toilets, keep Grace content, serve my husband, cook meals, wash clothes, etc., AND be missional? Here are 10 ways that I have learned to be missional.  There are 9,872 more, and probably better, ways to be missional, but these are some that the Lord has taught me over the past year.  

#1 Be a Regular

Be a regular customer at a cafe, shop, or restaurant.  This has opened huge doors for me since moving to London.  The biggest example I can use is my weekly visit to the Somali Cafe.  Not even a week after arriving in London, I visited the cafe for the first time and knew that these women would be not only my friends, but hopefully one day women that would be open to the Gospel.  So every Wednesday, around lunchtime, Grace and I take a bus and two trains to get to this little, hidden room, up three flights of stairs, with two tables and a few chairs.  This weekly ritual has become a highlight in my week, and I hope in the Somali women’s lives as well.  We are “regulars.” 

They expect Grace and me every Wednesday.  The cook knows my order and brings it to me without me even asking.  Now, though this has been SO great, it’s not always good.  I have had to earn their trust and their friendship.  Obviously I don’t speak Somali, so many times I sit there just trying to follow foreign conversations.  I am the outsider by all means, but they know me, and they know that every Wednesday at lunchtime, Laura, the American woman, and her little girl will come and drink tea and talk.  

#2 Don’t always gravitate to your comfortable or like-minded friends.

Whether it’s at a playgroup or the library, or wherever, make new friends,  especially with those who seem new, alone, different, out-of-place, etc.  From being one of the those new/alone/different people when we moved here, those women who approached me brought so much joy and hope into my life, even if they didn’t realize it.  I take Grace to the library every Tuesday (again a regular); each time there are many of the same faces, but there are always new faces as well.  I have to make a serious effort to introduce myself to the newbies.  I think people get very confused on why we live where we live because there are not any other Americans in Wembley….or at least I haven’t seen/met them yet.  To be honest, being a little bit different has opened doors for great conversations here.  I’ve had moms comment on Grace’s bows A LOT!  It’s crazy- girl’s just don’t wear bows here, so without me knowing it, we were screaming “Americans” - I have learned that’s okay.

Through meeting these other women, I have been able to hear their stories and share my story.  And in my story, they get to hear about Jesus, and that’s what is it all about, right?

#4 Prayer walk with your kids.  

I confess, this is a new one for me, but it’s something I really want to do more with Grace.  If they are too little to understand, pop them in the stroller and take a walk and pray.  If they are of age, let them help you see what’s around you and pray.  I mean, how awesome would it be for children to learn how to prayer walk!  I hope to do more of this on a weekly basis where that is my main purpose for getting out; however, the great thing about prayer walking is you can do this at anytime, anywhere, and with anyone.  It can be silent or out loud.  That’s the beauty of it.  

#5 Make every purchase count.  

Let me explain.  Go to different (a.k.a strategic) stores in your community where you can buy your groceries and other items.  I do a regular grocery order delivery every week, but we try to let Lee go to the Middle Eastern market to get fruit and veggies.  I know time is not in our favor, but I am really beginning to see how this can make such a big impact.  I know that Wal-Mart/Target is so enticing because it’s your one-stop-shop; Believe me, I’m with ya on this. We have Asda here in London, which is literally the British version of Wal-Mart.  You might have to go to multiple places to get everything you need, but think about all the relationships you can make at different shops (again, the “regular” thing comes in).  

#6 Ask for help - be humble.  

Do little things like asking for help with directions or advice.  Note: you will get unwanted advice, but swallow that pride and really listen to them-  you will learn something about that person that you didn’t know before.  Now, it might be their crazy parenting advice, but you will get insight to their background and their way of thinking… and it might blow your mind.  The (unwanted) advice that we have received from people here has been CRAZY.  I mean, things that just make you want to say, “What in the world are you thinking?” But that’s where the humbleness part comes to play :).

#7 Keep your home open (and food stocked).  

This is something I have greatly learned to LOVE since moving overseas.  The culture of Middle Eastern peoples is come, drop by, and stay a while, and there are times that I love this, and yet there are times where this style of living is really hard (because I am selfish with my time).  Let me say that we don’t own a big, beautiful home that is perfect for entertaining.  We have a small apartment with a couch (about the size of a loveseat), and four kitchen table chairs.  Entertaining and having people over is not convenient, but it’s something that we have chosen to make an effort to do with those around us, especially with our neighbors. We have invited them into our home so that they can see who we are behind our thin walls.  Oh, and the food stocked part - in our neck of the woods that means always have tea ready to be made and “biscuits” (cookies), nuts, and chocolate ready to be put in bowls and served.  I so wish that we would have had a more “open home” before we moved overseas.  Maybe like you, our home was really our refuge and a place where we could relax and be alone.  Sure we had people at our home and did things, but not with the heart that I have now.  I really, really hope that when we move back to the states one day that we will carry with us this open home (food stocked) way of living.  This having your home open thing also lets others see what and how your family interacts and how you love one another.

#8 Bake and Share.  

You can figure this one out without me typing a book :).

#9 Let others know you are praying for them and their families.  

I try to constantly let my friends know that I am praying for them.  If they tell me something that seems to be worrying them, I try to take that opportunity to carry their burdens and pray for them.  Oh, and a side note on this one- when you have people over in your home, pray FOR THEM BY NAME.  Game changer right there.

#10 (finally right?) Stay steady in your time of reading the Bible.  

This really should be #1.  If we want to be on mission for God, we have to know God, and the more we know God, the more we love Him.  It’s a growing pattern, I think.  The more I know, the more I grow, the more I love God and others.  

LA and her family live in London, England. Actually, Wembley - think Wembley Stadium (Olympics).  The stadium is across the street from their apartment!  LA loves to bake sweets, run (really just so that she can eat more sweets), be with new friends, explore the city of London, and drink as many cappuccinos as possible.  To see what else LA and her family are up to, check out her blog at theharpersbazaar.blogspot.com.

First Aid for Frazzled Moms

October 26, 2013

9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Christ Baptist Church | 400 Newton Rd | Raleigh, NC

Join the ladies of Christ Baptist Church on Saturday, October 26, 2013 from 9:00-11:30 a.m. for a parenting seminar featuring experienced mother and teacher Sarah Knott.  Gain Biblical and practical insight into ways in which you can train your children or grandchildren, or help other mothers train their children, toward obedience and respect.

 Tickets are only $5 per person. Purchase tickets from Christ Baptist Sunday mornings or M-Thursday 9-5 in the church office.

For more information, contact Macon Newby (919) 782-6376 or mtnewby@gmail.com.

Limited childcare openings available only through advanced registration by October 11.

This summer, we wanted to give you a taste of the many places that our SEBTS family will be during the school break. Our first post in the series is from our own Mrs. Charlotte Akin, who has kicked off her summer beautifully. Enjoy!

Where will you be this summer?

We started our summer in Cancun, Mexico, celebrating our 35^th wedding anniversary. This was wonderful and relaxing, a great way to start our “downtime summertime.” We will be traveling to many places this summer—Louisville for a friend’s wedding, Houston for the SBC annual meeting, and Georgia for a family wedding and time with my brothers and sister. 

Who will you be with?

We will be with friends, family, trustees, and donors.

What will you be doing?

In addition to our travels this summer, in July we will be with our good friends the Fulps. We will enjoy time with them at the lake in Roxboro.

Who/How will you be serving?

We will be taking care of our grandchildren—Micah, Jordan, and Kai—in Birmingham while Paul and Kari take a vacation. So we will be serving our kids and grandkids. J

What are you most looking forward to out of all of your adventures?

The best thing is that Danny and I get to do all of these wonderful things together. 

Charlotte Akin is the wife of Dr. Daniel L. Akin, president of SEBTS. She was born in Atlanta, Ga. and, at age 11, came to know Christ as her personal Savior at the Georgia Baptist Children’s Home in Palmetto, Ga.  She lived there in the children’s home until she was 18. She has been married to Dr. Akin since 1978—they just celebrated their 35^th anniversary in May! They are blessed with four wonderful sons (Nathan, Jonathan, Paul and Timothy), three incredible daughters-in-law (Ashley, Kari, and Anna), and nine precious grandchildren (four boys, four girls, and one grandson on the way).  Mrs. Akin’s main ministry after her family is to the women of SEBTS. She is the facilitator for “Biblical Foundations for the Minister’s Wife,” and recently co-taught “The Ministry of Homemaking and Hospitality” for the BWI. One of her favorite events this past year was having the college ladies in her home, and she hopes to make this an annual event.  In her spare time, she loves reading, cooking, going to the beach, and being with her grandchildren as much as possible.

This week is Global Missions Week here at SEBTS, and we wanted to focus on global missions on the blog as well!  Today you have the privilege to hear from Lesley Hildreth.  Lesley has much experience overseas, and uses her experience and wisdom to teach and encourage the ladies here at SEBTS.  Read her post below to learn a little more about what wives go through while serving overseas, and take a moment to pray for our families serving overseas.

After leaving the mission field over six years ago one of my greatest desires has been to equip other women who are preparing to go. As a guest lecturer for Southeastern's Biblical Women's Institute's degree program I have taught a course called Preparing For Missions for the past five years. It has been both an honor and privilege to encourage, equip, and pray for these women. Once the students are overseas they are required to meet in a central location in order to take two classes to fulfill their International Church Planting Degree. While the students are in class Southeastern provides a program for their wives and childcare is provided by volunteers from local churches in the states. I have been fortunate to be able to travel and spend time with these women and always walk away with new insights and ways to pray more specifically for their needs. After my most recent trip to Taiwan this past January I thought that it would be helpful to others to know how to pray more effectively and specifically for these wives serving overseas. If one has not personally spent time overseas it can be difficult to not only understand the needs of those serving the nations but to know what to pray.

Here are some common issues these wives are facing daily and a little bit of insight into what that could mean for some of them. I hope you will find this both informative and helpful as you encourage and bless these women and others serving the nations.

LANGUAGE LEARNING/BALANCING ROLES:

The first year or two on the field is spent learning another language. Most of our wives are not only full time language students learning very difficult languages but are also mothers seeking to balance their many roles without feeling like they are failing at one or more in order to succeed at another. Without language a person can not function in society or engage with people. This will eventually lead to discontentment and more importantly the missionary is unable to accomplish the very thing they went for: to share the gospel message to those who have not heard.

*Some verses to consider praying for them: Phil. 4:11, Eph. 5:21-6:4, and Psalm 23)

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. Phil. 4:11

HEALTH ISSUES:

Health issues are sometimes brought on by stress, caused by the new environment (food or new germs), or illnesses that are not related to anything new but are simply a normal part of life. In each case these issues create anxiety and fear as missionaries seek to just feel well/normal again. For moms with young children who experience a lot of sickness in the first year or two or develop a new health issue while on the field can bring a tremendous amount of stress on a family. In some areas that the wives are serving going to a doctor who speaks and/or understands English is not an option. In some areas the medical care available is not adequate and families may need to travel long distances for care or even consider relocating for prolonged care. This can be a very scary time for some and many battle with fear and the unknown.

(Some verses to consider praying for them: Phil. 4:6, Matthew 6:25-34, Heb. 4:16, Psalm 34:19)

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

SPIRITUAL WARFARE:

Most Americans do not recognize and/or do not experience spiritual warfare. Many families find themselves dealing with spiritual warfare issues and have no idea how to deal with or handle them when they occur. Many of our families have shared that their children have experienced reoccurring nightmares since moving overseas.

(Some verses to consider when praying for them: Eph 6;10-20, Rom. 8:28, 2 Thes. 3:1-2)

Finally, brothers,pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, 2 and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. 2 Thes. 3:1-2

These are just a few areas that you can pray for these women. Even though these women are dealing with issues you may not be able to relate to or fully understand we can ALL relate to the need to have a sister in Christ take our needs before the Lord in prayer.

Lesley Hildreth has been married to Scott for the past 20 years and has two children: Rachel, 18 and Jacob, 16. Their family served overseas in Berlin, Germany and Istanbul, Turkey with the IMB for eight years. Currently Scott is the Director of the Center for Great Commission Studies at Southeastern and Lesley is a guest lecturer for the Biblical Women's Institute as well as the Community Service Coordinator for Broughton High School. Lesley currently serves as The President for Southeastern's Women's Club and Faculty Advisor for the Connecting Point Team as well as serving as a mentor for female students or student wives on campus.